Motoring Around Mexico

14 days, approximately 4,000 miles, four riders…and all but 1 had at least one tip-over, flats were involved, scrapes or broken foot pegs may have surfaced, and it defiantly was a wildly wonderful adventure through Mexico.
 
I joined a group of riders for a new journey. The trip was set up as a colonial cities tour with little side trips to places of interest. Day one was a smooth border crossing and very smooth for bike permits.  Soon after our border crossing we quickly hit rutted and bumped out dirt roads from construction. Then to soft sandy dirt with some depth at times and even some gravel.  Wow, a mini Dalton in the first 100 miles – what will Mexico hold! The bikes did great, although I cannot say the same for the quick Amazon purchase of a windshield that rattled off its bracket on those first roads. Zip ties are such great friends for motorcycle riders!
 
It is not just the excitement of roads in Mexico but what borders them. While riding, you will pass goats, horses, cows – all just walking or feasting right along the roads. They occasionally venture across right in front of you and as you move around the large animals without doors for protection – you make eye contact, and with a mild heart beat rush, you smile and motor on.
 
The ride to Real de Catorce was one of the highlights. Not just the road but the city built into the hillside.  You begin with an adventure down miles of cobblestone roads and into the mountains for a castle like experience at a local historic hotel (Hotel Mina Real). The history is felt in the buildings, in the traditionally dressed locals selling their wares, and even in the music that radiates up the hill through the rain as you go to sleep. This little town has a magic all its own. It will take a few days ride at almost 1,000 miles from the border but worth the ten plus miles of cobblestone to enter, just be careful in the rain or fog – these stones get slippery.
 
There are many unique experiences that one when have when crossing a border, although not many people can say they rode through Mexico during the Halloween and Day of Dead celebrations and somehow left each city the day before the festivities or arrived the day after they occurred. This became a bit of a joke for the group as we always seemed a day late of a day early for many sights on the journey.
Ride recommendations
-Always know what celebrations are worth a visit, and even if it means a route adjustment, it will increase the exploration of the culture.
-Always back spare Ziplocs and zip ties…
 
Written by Danell Lynn, www.DanellLynn.com Guinness World Record Rider. @DanellLynn